Mom who murdered 5 children was distressed after split from husband: 'She set breakfast table and smothered them'
A mother-of-six reportedly set the breakfast table for her children before drugging and smothering five of them to death. Reports state that the 27-year-old mom, identified only as Christiane K, was left "overwhelmed" when she split from her husband. Authorities in Germany are currently probing the massacre with the mother being the prime suspect in the alleged crime.
All the five children, aged between one and eight, were found dead by police at the family's flat in Solingen, western Germany. The chief investigator in the case, Marcel Maierhofer, reportedly said that the children were all found lying on their beds with their breakfast dishes still on the kitchen table, according to the Sun. New toxicology reports have suggested that the children were first sedated with an "unknown agent" and then later suffocated. Only one of her six children survived, the eldest son, identified as 11-year-old Marcel. It is believed that the mother, after allegedly poisoning her children, went to Dusseldorf with Marcel and got off the train midway and attempted to take her own life, she was, however, saved.
In the latest development of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, September 2, the chief investigator said that the mother is believed to have "carried out the act while she was feeling emotionally overwhelmed, and that too is the motive." Police believe that Christiane, after splitting from her third husband a year ago, became depressed and suffered deteriorating mental health, according to Bild.
Reports state that when police entered the flat on Thursday, September 4, to make the tragic discovery, they broke down in tears. One resident of the building complex told Pledge Times: "When the police and rescue workers came out crying, it was clear to us that something bad must have happened." The victims were identified as Luca, 8, Timo, 6, Sophie, 3, Leonie 2, and Melina, 1.
Police officers were also reportedly left shocked after witnessing the state of the apartment. Pictures taken from the scene reportedly showed handprints on grubby windows, and dead plants sitting on a balcony. The rescuers reportedly had also tried to resuscitate the five children, however, police said that the victims' bodies were "lifeless."
Solingen social services also confirmed that they knew of the family, however, they never noticed any problems that would cause an alarm. The tragic incident also made international news and neighbors held vigils outside the apartment block.
Reports state that the mother has not yet been interviewed by authorities as she is recovering in a hospital and is currently not in an appropriate mental state. Police are not yet certain why she spared her oldest child as neighbors asked: "How desperate do you have to be to kill your own children?".
Christiane had reportedly left Marcel on the train as she got off in Dusseldorf. The pair were supposed to head for Marcel's grandmother's house. When the mother got off the train, she reportedly threw herself onto the tracks at Dusseldorf Central Station. She was, however, rescued by firefighters and continues to remain in a serious condition. The boy, meanwhile, safely reached his grandmother's place.
Christiane had reportedly messaged her mother around lunchtime, writing "send the police to the apartment, the children are dead."